Play ice hockey

All teams are expected to have enough players to meet the minimum numbers at the start of the game time. Any team not meeting the minimum number of players 10 minutes past the official start of game time will be subject to a forfeit. A team may lend players to their opponent however, they must determine if the game will be a forfeit or an official game prior to playing. The forfeit score will be recorded as 7-0.

If any team forfeits two games during a season their status in the league will be under review and may be ejected from the league without refund.

In this scenario a forfeit will be deemed as a team not showing up for a game and/or insufficient amount of communication; CARL administration will review all forfeits for the betterment of the league.

If more than 48-hours notice is given prior to your game, the possibility of a rescheduled game on a future date may occur.

Teams are required to have a minimum of six players to avoid a forfeit (a goalie is not required). Teams are encouraged to work with CARL administration if they are having issues fielding a full team on a regular basis

A team can have 20 players listed on their roster. Exceptions may be made upon review from CARL administration.

A full team consists of 6 players (five players and one goalie) on the ice. Teams are not required to have a goalie to avoid forfeit.

All teams are required to have a captain present at every game. If a team's listed captain is unable to be present; an acting captain must be assigned for the game.

All players must be listed on the team's official roster to play in the league. Go to ActiveWaterloo to set up an account and add themselves to their team's roster.

A team may bring in extra players prior to the fourth week in the season as long as they have put themselves on the online roster.

Following the roster deadline, CARL staff will do regular random roster checks. If a player's full name is not listed (i.e. John instead of John Smith) they will be deemed as ineligible.

Protesting a player's eligibility may only be done after the fourth week and must be done by the team's captain. A CARL associate must be notified before the completion of the game.

Following the roster deadline; a team captain may challenge any player on their opponent's roster during the game. Any challenge must be requested prior to the end of the game.

If the player is being challenged on a roster:

• the CARL associate will force the challenged player to take a substitution to present their full name and identification
• if the player can verify his eligibility, the protesting team will be assigned a minor delay of game penalty

Players are responsible for having valid ID at the game. If a player fails to have ID, they are considered ineligible and will be removed from the game.

All players must have a number on their jersey. Only one player can use a number per team.

Any ineligible player and/or player caught playing under another individual's name will result in:

• the player being removed from the game
• the team captain being suspended for the next game
• a second offence will result in a three game suspension for the captain
• a third offence will result in a suspension for the remainder of the season

Any ineligible player and/or player caught playing under another individual’s name during playoffs will result in the following

• the player being removed from the game
• the team captain being suspended for the next game
• all goals that the ineligible player was involved with (scored/assist) will be disallowed
• game result being overturned; CARL admin will review

If at any time, after the start of a sanctioned game, a team (or teams) is unable to place the correct number of players on the ice, the game will be suspended. KWHRA policy prohibits further participation by the officials.

A team may use players from a previous game from that night and league; however, they may only use players from within their division of play or lower. Teams may only use enough players to have a full line-up and two subs on the side.

Once a legitimately rostered player arrives at the game, a borrowed sub must discontinue play, unless the opponent agrees to have the player stay in the game.

You may not use players from a previous game in playoffs, excluding goalies.

CARL works to develop an equitable schedule for all participants, ensuring each team has an average equal number of games and a fair distribution of time slots.

All schedules will be sent to each captain and posted on the CARL website a minimum of one week prior to the start of the season. Schedules are subject to change. CARL administration will give notice of changes as soon as possible.

Teams are expected to report scores and spirit ranking to the CARL associate following their game. The CARL administration will have standings updated online no later than 48 hours following your game.

Regular season games may end in a tied score. A score cap of a seven goal differential will be applied to all games.

Once a team has reached the score cap of seven goals additional goals will not be recorded.

Once the trailing team scores another goal, the leading team must score another goal to have it counted. The score recorded will not reflect a point differential greater than seven goals.

How teams are ranked:

• first criteria: total points will be determined from a team's wins, losses and ties. Wins will be two points, ties will be one point and a loss will be worth zero points
• second criteria: point differential a team's difference between points for and against

If there is still a tie in the standings:

1. record head to head between the teams involved
2. point differential between games involving the teams tied only
3. spirit points for each team involved
4. coin toss

Any team with an average spirit ranking of 3.5 or lower will not be eligible for playoffs.

To be eligible to participate in playoffs, a player must be on their team's official team roster.

Players must have less than 70 minutes (50 minutes in summer) in combined penalty minutes to be eligible for playoffs.

All teams are guaranteed the same number of playoff games, however not all teams will receive the opportunity to play for the championship.

If a league has eight or more teams the top eight teams will play for the championship in a single elimination style playoff.

If a league has less than eight teams, the top four teams will play for the championship in a single elimination style playoff.

Losing teams will play consolation matches to finish the season.

Any team not part of the championship playoffs will receive consolation games that will equal the same number of games as all other teams.

CARL administration has the right to change the playoff format at any time to ensure the quality of the league.

Sportsmanship is an important part of playoffs. Any team displaying poor sportsmanship in playoffs will have their win reviewed and CARL administration has the right to overturn any win. Poor sportsmanship by both teams in a playoff game may result in a loss by both teams.

Playoff games cannot end in a tie, the following format will only be used in playoffs to break a tie game:

• each team will quickly assemble three team members for a shootout
• teams will shoot simultaneously on opposite nets, players will start from centre ice
• in the event of a tie, remaining additional team members who have not shot yet will compete in a sudden death format to determine the winner
• team members cannot repeat as a shooter until everyone present for the game has been used (excluding goalies)

All players will receive a total ice time of 50 minutes. The clock will begin at the scheduled start time of the game. Players are expected to begin their game on time.

Games will be a total of 45 minutes in length with two halves of 25 minutes and 20 minutes respectively.

If there is a goal differential of 2 goals or less for the final two minutes; stop time will be used.

In regular season games may end in a tie, there will be no overtime.

The clock will continue to run during the game, there will be no extra time unless noted by the CARL associate.

All games will end with a buzzer. Any goal scored after the buzzer will not be counted.

Teams will be provided keys to their dressing room prior to the game at customer service. They will be expected to trade a set of personal keys to receive the dressing room key.

A game sheet will be available from customer service prior to the start of each game. They will be filled out with player names and numbers using the latest roster updates.

Game sheets will be handed to the CARL associate prior to the start of the game.

Any number or name changes are expected to be indicated on the game sheet prior to handing the game sheet to the CARL associate.

The captain of each team must identify himself to the officials and City staff, as well as indicate himself on the game sheet, prior to the start of each game. If the captain is absent, an alternate player must assume his responsibilities.

It is expected that only captains are communicating issues during the game and may direct any questions to the referee or CARL associate at an appropriate time and in a respectful manner.

All players must wear CSA approved helmets with a chinstrap; facial protection is optional, however if worn must be CSA approved.

All goalies must wear CSA approved helmets with a face shield; CAT Eye masks will not be allowed.

Players may not wear goalie skates while playing out of the net.

All people on the bench must wear a helmet. This includes coaches, injured players, and backup goaltenders.

Players must not step onto the ice until the ice-resurface doors are fully closed, and all staff have left the ice. Players doing so will be told to return to the dressing room and will be disallowed to play for the evening. Players are expected to promptly leave the ice surface upon conclusion of the game.

If there is a colour conflict between teams, customer service will provide alternate jerseys to be worn. The visitors will be the team asked to change. It is not optional.

Foul language, trash talk, or any other offensive actions or words will not be tolerated and will be followed up in accordance with the sportsmanship guidelines.

The start of the game and following each goal a face-off will occur at centre ice.

Following any stoppage in play a face-off will occur.

During a face-off, if one team is ready and the other team is judged to be intentionally delaying the play (i.e. slow line change); the referee may drop the puck into play after 10 seconds.

Teams will not switch sides at halftime.

If a goalie is injured during play you may use a substitute; however, the clock will continue to run during this time.

Players may substitute at any point during the game.

Neither player involved in the substitution should be involved in the play.

Puck in play: any puck going outside the playing area and/or making contact with any obstacles, excluding the boards and glass, will be considered as out of play and a face-off will occur.

Goalies: a team may pull their goalie during the game:

• an additional player from the bench may be on the ice when a goalie has been pulled
• a goalie may not cross the centre ice line during play
• at the referee's discretion based on severity of impact - if the puck hits the goalie in the helmet or mask from a shot, whether directly or indirectly (deflection), the referee will blow their whistle and the play will be stopped immediately

Nets: if the net is moved out of position during a play the referee will call the play dead and a face-off will occur. If the net being out of position has no effect on the play the referee will just re-position it; this will be to the discretion of the referee.

Scoring: the puck must completely cross the goal line; whether on the ice or in the air, to be considered a goal:

• a player may not score a goal by throwing the puck or using their foot in a kicking fashion

Offside: a player may not cross over the offensive blue line and touch the puck prior to the puck crossing the offensive blue line; this will be called as an offside:

• if a player crosses the offensive blue line prior to the puck crossing without touching they will be allowed to return to the blue line prior to touching the puck in the offensive zone; this is referred to as “tagging up”
• the two line pass rule will not apply in CARL leagues

Icing - the defensive blue line will be used to call icing in CARL leagues.

All players are expected to know the CARL ice hockey rules despite the presence of an official. When a call has been made by an official it should be accepted by the players.

A violation in ice hockey is an illegal play that will result in face-off. A team will not be required to send a player to the penalty box for a violation.

List of violation examples:

• icing - having the puck be sent untouched from your team's defensive zone past the opposing goal line, the only exception is when a team is shorthanded due to a penalty
• offside - crossing the offensive blue line prior to the puck and touching the puck
• hand pass - passing the puck to your teammate by using your hand

Penalties:

• a penalty in ice hockey is an illegal play that will result in a player being sent to the penalty box
• a team may be shorthanded during a penalty

All penalties assigned during the season will be tracked by CARL administration. The accumulation of penalties will lead to the following suspensions:

• any player receiving a combined total of 45 minutes (25 minutes in Summer) in penalties will receive a one game suspension
• any player receiving a combined total of 60 minutes (40 minutes in Summer) in penalties will receive a two game suspension
• any player receiving a combined total of 70 minutes (50 minutes in Summer) in penalties will receive a suspension for the remainder of the season. This will include playoffs

Fighting:

• fighting will not be tolerated in CARL leagues
• any player found to be fighting will receive a minimum of a one year suspension

All CARL leagues will define fighting as:

• a player throwing a punch at an opposing player, regardless of whether or not contact was made
• a player dropping their gloves with the intent to fight, regardless of whether or not any punch was thrown

CARL penalties will comply with the Hockey Canada rulebook with the following exceptions:

• there will be no body checking however, incidental body contact is acceptable - this will be at the discretion of the referee
• all minor penalties will be assessed as a three minute run time penalty
• all major penalties will be assessed as a 7.5 minute run time penalty
• all penalties received by an unidentified player (missing jersey number) will be assigned to the team captain and will go towards his seasonal combined penalty minutes
• if the shorthanded team is scored on during a penalty the player may leave the penalty box
• if a goalie receives a minor penalty it may be served by a teammate
• when a team receives a bench minor penalty the minutes will be assigned to the player serving the penalty for the purposes of penalty tracking
• players serving coincidental penalties must wait for a whistle/stoppage of play after their penalty has expired in order to leave the penalty box
• any player receiving three minor penalties in a game will be ejected from the remainder of that game; a double-minor penalty will count as two penalties for this purpose and is six minutes run time
• any player receiving a slew footing penalty will be given a major penalty (7.5 minutes) and either a game misconduct or match penalty
• any player receiving a major penalty will be ejected from the remainder of that game, a teammate will serve this penalty
• all major penalties will be reviewed by CARL administration and may result in further suspensions
• any player receiving a misconduct or major penalty in the last 10 minutes of a game will receive a suspension for their next game, a teammate will serve the 7.5-minute run time for the major penalty.
• all misconducts will be reviewed by CARL administration and may result in further suspensions
• any player receiving a gross misconduct during the game will receive a suspension for their next game
• all gross misconducts will be reviewed by CARL administration and may result in further suspensions
• any player receiving a match penalty during the game will receive a two game suspension for their next games
• all match penalties will be reviewed by CARL administration and may result in further suspensions
• if a goalie receives three minor penalties, a major penalty or misconduct they will be ejected from the remainder of that game. If a backup goalie is unavailable at the time of the offence, the team will play without a goaltender for the remainder of the game
• if a player receives a misconduct penalty issued after the final buzzer they will receive a suspension from their next game
• any player that receives a major penalty and automatic game misconduct as a result of a malicious act towards an opponent, flagrant offence or injury to an opponent will receive a one game suspension minimum; the incident will also be reviewed by CARL administration and may result in further suspension
• any player receiving a match penalty due to an infraction of an official will receive an immediate, indefinite suspension; the subsequent review and suspension length will be determined by the KWHRA, the KWHRA will then advise CARL program administration staff who will in turn notify the player
• any player who carries an offence as issued by CARL and/or KWHRA is not allowed to participate in league play until the suspension date has passed